BUTLER, Pa. — Former President Donald Trump was rushed off the stage just minutes into his rally in Pennsylvania on Saturday, after loud noises that sounded like gunshots were heard. Trump is currently safe and is expected to survive, according to two senior law enforcement officials briefed on the matter. He had blood on the side of his head and his ear.
Trump was speaking when he reached for the side of his face as popping sounds rang out over the rally. He then crouched down as Secret Service agents rushed the stage and surrounded him. He was quickly escorted into a vehicle, walking off the stage with agents on all sides.
Screams from the audience rang out as the scene unfolded.
A Secret Service spokesperson said in a statement posted to X that “the former President is safe.”
“This is now an active Secret Service investigation and further information will be released when available,” agency spokesperson Anthony Guglielmi posted.
Trump’s spokesperson Steven Cheung said that the former president “thanks law enforcement and first responders for their quick action during this heinous act.”
“He is fine and is being checked out at a local medical facility,” Cheung said. “More details will follow.”
It is unclear if a suspect is in custody.
President Joe Biden, who is in Delaware for the weekend, has been briefed on the situation, according to a senior White House official.
The Biden campaign is aware of the situation and monitoring it, a senior spokesperson tells NBC News.
Politicians began posting to social media that they were praying for Trump in the minutes after the incident unfolded, including vice presidential contenders Sen. JD Vance, R-Ohio; Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla; and North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum.
The Republican National Convention, where Trump is set to officially become the GOP presidential nominee, is set to begin on Monday.
This is a breaking new story and will continue to be updated.
Jake Traylor is reporting from Butler, Pa.; Megan Lebowitz from Washington, D.C.
Jake Traylor, Jake Traylor, Monica Alba, Kelly O’Donnell, Amanda Terkel, Tom Winter and Jonathan Dienst contributed.
